Directionally visible sighting device

ABSTRACT

Provided herein are sighting devices that include a lighting device within a bore within a housing. The bore has a proximal first end that opens at an end of the housing for a user to look in to, and a lengthwise second end embedded in a closed end of the housing. The lighting source is embedded within the bore. Light from the lighting source is visible to a user, but not to other persons or animals at an angle of greater than 45 degrees with respect to an axis extending through the bore, from behind the opening of the sighting device. Also included are apparatuses, such as projectile-launching apparatuses, which include or incorporate or attach the present sighting devices thereto, kits that include such sighting devices, and methods of using sighting devices.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/527,546 filed on Jun. 30, 2017, the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD

The present invention generally relates to an illuminated directionally visible sighting device. The sighting device includes an illumination or lighting source such as an artificial light source, within a bore within a housing. The lighting source is positioned within the bore such that light emitted from the device may only be seen within a limited range of sight behind the device. The sighting device of the invention may be configured to be attached to, or may be part of, an apparatus for which the ability to have a night or low-lighting sighting device may be advantageous.

BACKGROUND

To produce illumination under low light conditions, the addition of artificial light sources such as battery-operated LED's or tritium-type devices have been used as aiming devices on firearms or other instruments. In a regular illuminated sight such as that provided in U.S. Pat. No. 7,562,486, a fiber optic and tritium tube are used in conjunction to produce an illuminated sighting device. A problem with this design is that the illumination from the light is easily visible from an angle by viewers other than the user of the sight. The visibility of the illumination by other people (or animals) may be less than desired, or in fact dangerous, in military or undercover low light operations, or while hunting. For example, it may be dangerous if the illuminated sight of an undercover police officer, is seen by a criminal, thereby exposing the police officer as having a weapon. Also, hunters may be spotted by animals if the hunter's sight is visible to the animal. In military operations, a visible sight may give away the position of the weapon carrier.

SUMMARY

The present invention allows the user to have a self-illuminated sighting device while restricting the illumination from being detected by others not directly behind the sighting device.

According to non-limiting example embodiments, the invention provides illuminated directional sighting devices that include a light/illumination source, within a bore within a housing.

The lighting/illumination source may include for example, an artificial light source, which may include e.g. battery-operated LED's or tritium-type devices. A substantially permanent or long-lasting lighting source may be used. The light source is positioned within the bore such that light emitted or glowing from the device may be seen only within a limited range of sight behind the device; and is not visible or only minimally visible to anyone or anything not behind the sighting device within a limited range

The sighting device of the present invention may be configured to be attached to, or may be part of, an apparatus for which the ability to have a night or low-lighting sighting device may be advantageous. Contemplated apparatuses with which the present sighting devices may be used, or attached to, or part of, may include for example, archery bows, air guns, paint guns, firearms (including personal, military, police or other firearms), or other projectile launching apparatuses. Other contemplated uses are with night vision goggles, binoculars, cameras, telescopes, and other non-projectile launching apparatuses for which night or low light sighting devices may be advantageous. Thus, the present invention includes projectile launching and non-projectile launching apparatuses for which the ability to have a night or low-lighting sighting device may be advantageous that include the present directional sighting devices attached thereto, or as a part thereof (e.g. manufactured as part of the projectile launching and non-projectile launching apparatuses).

Further example embodiments are directed to methods for sighting a target that include attaching a sighting device in accordance with the present invention to a projectile launching apparatus, or to a non-projectile-launching apparatus, and viewing a sight through the sighting device.

Further provided herein are kits that include a sighting device in accordance with the present invention and instructions, tools and/or attachment devices, which may be used to attach the sighting device(s) to a projectile launching apparatus or other non-projectile launching apparatus for which night or low light sighting devices may be advantageously used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Non-limiting example embodiments are described herein, with reference to the following accompanying Figures:

FIG. 1 depicts a sighting device in accordance with non-limiting example embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a sighting device in accordance with non-limiting example embodiments of the present invention, the sighting device having an attachment mechanism for attaching the sighting device to an apparatus for which night and/or low light sighting may be advantageous.

FIG. 3 depicts a sighting device in accordance with non-limiting example embodiments of the present invention, which is attached to a gun as a non-limiting example of an apparatus for which night and/or low light sighting may be advantageous.

FIG. 4 depicts a non-limiting example of a sighting system, which includes a rear sight assembly and a front sight assembly in accordance with non-limiting example embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is drawn to directionally visible sighting devices, apparatuses that include such sighting devices, kits that include such sighting devices, and methods of making and using the same.

Additional aspects, advantages and/or other features of example embodiments of the invention will become apparent in view of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the described embodiments provided herein are merely exemplary and illustrative and not limiting. Numerous embodiments of modifications thereof are contemplated as falling within the scope of this disclosure and equivalents thereto.

While the example embodiments are described to be used e.g., in conjunction with night and/or low light sighting for archery bows, air guns, paint guns, firearms or other projectile launching apparatuses, or non projectile launching apparatuses such as night vision goggles, binoculars, cameras, and/or telescopes, it should be understood that the present sighting devices may be used for other purposes and therefore the present invention is not limited to such applications. In view of the teachings provided herein, one having ordinary skill in the art would recognize other applications for which the sighting devices of the present invention could be used. Thus, one having ordinary skill in the art would be able to use the sighting devices of the present invention in other applications, and these alternative uses are intended to be part of the present invention.

Any publications or references mentioned in this specification are indicative of the level of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. All patents, publications and/or references herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated as having been incorporated by reference in its entirety.

In describing example embodiments, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the embodiments are not intended to be limited to this specific terminology. Unless otherwise noted, technical terms are used according to conventional usage.

As used herein, “a” or “an” may mean one or more. As used herein “another” may mean at least a second or more. Furthermore, unless otherwise required by context, singular terms include pluralities and plural terms include the singular.

Non-limiting examples include a sighting device that includes a lighting source within a bore within a housing. The bore includes a first end (lengthwise), the first end being an opening at a proximal end of the housing for a user to look in to, and includes a lengthwise second end of the bore, in which the second proximal end is embedded (with respect to a user/open end) in a closed end of the housing. According to example embodiments, the lighting source is embedded within the bore.

In example embodiments, the lighting source or device (such as a self-illuminated capsule encapsulated in glass), is placed within the bore/tube within a housing. According to example embodiments, the field of view of light from the lighting device is reduced or adjusted so it can be seen by only the primary operator/user of the sighting device. According to example embodiments, the light may only be seen within a 45 degree radius with respect to an axis running through the center of the bore, or view angle behind the sight. The light viewing angle may be adjusted for example by varying the depth of the illuminating capsule within the bore. For example, depth placement in the chamber limits the field of view to the illumination source. The capsule is enclosed in a hollow interior and allows the user to view the illumination from a narrow field of view only when the sighting device is directly in front of the user. Thus, according to example embodiments, the light source may only be visible to a user who is directly behind the sight.

However, the angle of illumination from the sight may be controlled by other contemplated methods. For example, a variable shroud may be used, to provide or potentially dynamically modify the angle. The light source may be moved within the shroud—or the depth of shroud may be changed or modified as desired.

Any light emitting from the sighting device, in example embodiments, is only visible to a user directly behind said sighting device. Preferably, according to non-limiting example embodiments, the light may not be visible to an individual or animal at an angle greater than forty-five degrees off axis (the axis extending in a line through the center of the bore) from directly behind the sighting device. According to other non-limiting example embodiments, light emitting from said sighting device is not visible to an individual or animal at an angle greater than forty degrees or 35 degrees off axis from behind the sighting device.

According to non-limiting example embodiments, the bore is a lengthwise hole through the housing. According to other embodiments, the bore is a lengthwise tube within the housing.

Non-limiting example embodiments provide illuminated directionally visible sighting devices that include a light/illumination source, within a bore within a housing. The lighting source is a self-illuminating light source. The lighting or illumination source may include for example, an artificial light source, which may include e.g. battery-operated LED's or tritium-type devices. Suitable tritium light sources or other illumination sources would be known to those skilled in the art. A substantially permanent or long-lasting light source may be used. The lighting source may be for example a self-illuminated capsule, encapsulated in a transparent material, such as glass.

According to non-limiting example embodiments, the lighting source is selected and/or positioned within the bore such that light emitted from the device may be seen only within a limited range of sight behind the device (e.g. the light cannot be seen from an angle of greater than 45°, 40° or 35° off axis from directly behind the device, and is not visible or only minimally visible to anyone not directly behind the sighting device.

The housing 8 of sighting device 5 defines a structure having a bore 2 therein, the bore extending parallel to the length of the housing and opening at one end of the housing, through which end a user looks when the sighting device is in use. The other end of the bore contains the light source 1.

A cross section of the bore 1 may be round, oval or any other appropriate shape, which allows light to travel therethrough such that a user may visualize a target using the light.

The housing terminates at a proximal end that faces a user when mounted on a projectile launching apparatuses or non-projectile launching apparatuses.

The light source is preferably embedded within bore of the housing, such that the light is visible primarily from one behind the sighting device or viewing directly into the sighting device; and not visible by other persons. For example, one using the sighting device would be able to use the sighting device to see for example, a target in low light or in the dark, but others will not be able to see the illumination of the light, which may disadvantageously alert another person (or animal in the case of hunters for example) to the presence of the person having an apparatus with a sighting device, and/or the location of the person having the apparatus with a sighting device.

According to non-limiting examples, any light emanating from the sighting device may be viewed from directly behind the sighting device or within a limited range of sight of no more than forty-five, forty, or thirty-five degrees or five degrees or less in all directions from the sighting device. That is, those to the side of the sighting device or in front of the sighting device would not be able to see a light therefrom, unless they are directly behind the sighting device or at an angle of forty-five degrees or less or forty degrees or less, or thirty-five degrees or less from the opening of the sighting device.

The sighting device of the invention may be configured to be attached/mounted to, or may be part of, an apparatus for which the ability to have a night or low-lighting sighting device may be advantageous. Thus, sighting devices of the present invention may also include an attachment mechanism 9 (see FIG. 2), which is adapted for attaching or mounting the sighting device to an apparatus for which a sighting device may be useful. Suitable attachment/mounting mechanisms would be known to those skilled in the art. It is also contemplated that there may be more than one illuminated sighting device on an apparatus (as shown for example in FIG. 3). It is further contemplated that there may be more than one illumination source within a single sighting device.

The invention allows a user to have a weapons sight with a controlled view angle from a self-illuminated site. In embodiments having more than one illuminated sighting device, the view angle of the self-illumination on the sight can even be different from the front sight and the rear site. The light modifier can be built to have a deeper cutout to reduce the field of view of the self-illuminated module. Each sight can be configured with a separate depth which will have a deeper or shallower depth in relation to the amount of desired field of view of the self-illuminating sight. For example, one could place a front site with the light modifying shroud double the depth of the width. The rear sight light modifying shroud may be for example, triple the depth of the width. The self-illuminated tritium vial would sit at the bottom or deepest resets of the light modifier. This would allow a user to view or acquire the front sight faster due to the larger field of view and the rear sight would come lit only when the user eye was more in line with the sight due to the narrow field of view, all while keeping the self-illumination of the sight concealed from all but the user.

Contemplated apparatuses with which the present sighting devices may used, or attached to, or part of, may include for example, archery bows, air guns, paint guns, firearms or other projectile launching apparatuses. Also contemplated are night vision goggles, binoculars, cameras, telescopes and other non-projectile launching apparatuses for which night or low light sighting devices may be advantageous.

Thus, the present invention includes projectile launching and non-projectile-launching apparatuses for which the ability to have a night or low-lighting sighting device may be advantageous that include the present directional sighting devices attached thereto, or as a part thereof (e.g. manufactured as part of the projectile launching and non-projectile launching apparatuses).

Further example embodiments are directed to methods for sighting a target that include attaching a sighting device in accordance with the present invention to a projectile launching apparatus, and viewing a sight through the sighting device.

Further provided herein are kits that include a sighting device in accordance with the present invention and one or more of instructions, tools and/or attachment mechanisms, which may be used to attach the sighting device(s) to a projectile launching apparatus or other apparatus for which night or low light sighting devices may be advantageously used.

With reference to the non-limiting examples depicted in the figures, FIG. 1 depicts a sighting device 5 in accordance with non-limiting example embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a lighting source 1 is embedded with a bore 2 of a housing 8. The light source 1 is embedded at a second proximal end of the bore, which is at the opposite end of the bore and housing than the first proximal end that has an opening which a user uses to view a sight. As shown in FIG. 1, the light source 1 is embedded into the bore 2, such that distance from the opening to any part of the light source is more than half way through the bore, such that any light or glow cannot be seen by anyone or anything other than the user directly behind the sighting device.

FIG. 2 depicts a similar sighting device in accordance with non-limiting example embodiments of the present invention, the sighting device of FIG. 2 further includes an attachment or mounting mechanism 9 for attaching the sighting device to an apparatus for which night and/or low light sighting may be advantageous, such as a firearm.

FIG. 3 depicts a sighting device in accordance with non-limiting example embodiments of the present invention, which is mounted to a gun 3, as a non-limiting example of an apparatus for which night and/or low light sighting may be advantageous. In particular, FIG. 3 depicts sighting devices mounted to a gun 3, in which the light source 1 is embedded within a bore 2 of a sighting device (as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2), such that a user 7 may look into the opening of the bore in the sighting device and view light or glow 4 from the sighting device. But a non-user 6 to the side of the sighting device, at an angle of e.g., greater than 45 degrees (or 40 degrees or 35 degrees) from the axis extending through the bore, is not able to view light or glow from the sighting device, or may only see very little light or glow, such as 10% or less, or 5% or less of the light or glow that the actual user is able to see.

FIG. 4 depicts a non-limiting example of a sighting system, which includes a rear sight assembly and a front sight assembly in accordance with non-limiting example embodiments. The sighting system depicted in FIG. 4 may be used e.g. in conjunction with night and/or low light sighting for projectile launching apparatuses, or non projectile launching apparatuses, as with other embodiments described herein.

As shown in FIG. 4, a rear sight assembly 13 may be provided, which may include one or more shrouds/chambers (11) to restrict view of illumination. Two shrouds/chambers are depicted in the FIG. 4 rear sight assembly. The shrouds/chambers (11) each include a self-illuminating device (10 and 12) therein. Tritium is a non-limiting example of a self-illuminating device which may be within a shroud (11) in example embodiments. A front sight assembly 16 may also be provided in example embodiments. The front sight assembly includes a shroud/chamber to restrict view of illumination (15). The shroud 15 includes therein a self-illuminating device 14 therein. By way of non-limiting example embodiment, the self-illuminating device 14 may be tritium.

Those skilled in the art would understand the relative positioning of front and rear sights on a device, particularly on firearms. By way of non-limiting example, the front sight is always up front (firing end) on a pistol. Normally there are two “iron” sights on a handgun. On a shotgun, there may be just one sight in the front. Rifles have iron sights or “optical” sights similar to a scope.

The following example is provided to further illustrate various non-limiting embodiments and techniques. It should be understood, however, that this example is meant to be illustrative and do not limit the scope of the claims. As would be apparent to skilled artisans, many variations and modifications are intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.

EXAMPLES Example 1

An undercover police officer has a small handgun concealed from view in an inside the waistband holster under his shirt. Most concealed firearms do not have tritium or illuminated sights because the glow of the sights will often show under a shirt exposing the undercover police officer to risk.

A handgun is provided to the undercover police officer having a sighting device attached thereto in accordance with the present invention. In particular, the sighting device includes a tritium-type self-illuminated lighting source, which is encapsulated in glass and embedded in a bore or tube within a housing of the sighting device, such that light emanates from the open end of the bore behind the devices, such that only a person positioned behind the bore, viewing the sighting device within a 45 degree radius from the axis extending through the bore, is able to see light from the device. The bore or tube may be of a suitable material and/or coated with a material for propagating the light through the tube for the user.

A handgun having such a sighting device will allow the user/undercover police officer to have a night or low light sight on their firearm that reduces the glow from being detected by others, which visibility or detection may tip off a suspect to the fact that the undercover officer has a gun. The present invention allows the user to have firearm sights that are usable in low light conditions.

In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims appended hereto. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense. 

I claim:
 1. A sighting device comprising a bore within a housing, said bore having an opening at a lengthwise proximal end of the housing for a user to look in to, and having a lengthwise second end at a closed end of said housing, and a self-illuminating lighting source embedded within the bore wherein the lighting source is selected and positioned such that light only illuminates from the proximal end within a 45 degree radius with respect to an axis running lengthwise through the center of the bore, such that light is not visible to one outside the 45 degree radius.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein light emitting from said sighting device is only visible to a user directly behind said sighting device.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein light emitting from said sighting device is not visible to an individual or animal at an angle greater than 40 degree radius with respect to the axis from behind the sighting device.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein light emitting from said sighting device is not visible to an individual or animal at an angle greater than 35 degree radius with respect to the axis from behind the sighting device.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the illumination from the proximal end of the housing is controlled based on how far the lighting source is embedded in the bore from the proximal end of the bore.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the bore is a lengthwise hole through the housing.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the bore is a lengthwise tube within the housing.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the lighting source is a battery-operated LED.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the lighting source is a tritium light source.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the lighting source is an illuminated capsule, encapsulated in glass.
 11. The device of claim 1, further comprising an attachment apparatus adapted for attaching the sighting device to an apparatus for which a sighting device may be useful.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the apparatus for which a sighting device may be useful comprises a projectile-launching device.
 13. The device of claim 12, wherein the projectile-launching device is selected from the group consisting of a firearm, archery bow, paint gun, and air gun.
 14. The device of claim 11, wherein the apparatus for which a sighting device may be useful comprises a non projectile-launching device selected from the group consisting of night vision goggles, binoculars, cameras, and telescopes.
 15. An apparatus for use in low light conditions comprising a sighting device according to claim
 1. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the apparatus is a projectile-launching device.
 17. A kit comprising a device according to claim 1; and at least one additional item selected from the group consisting of instructions for use and/or mounting said device onto an apparatus for use in low light, an attachment apparatus for attaching the device to the apparatus for use in low light; and at least one tool for attaching the device to the apparatus for use in low light.
 18. A method for sighting a target that includes attaching a sighting device according to claim 1 to a projectile-launching apparatus, and viewing a sight through the sighting device. 